Ay carumba! That doesn't sound good at all! Are you feeling ok now? Get yourself down here in some warm Florida sunshine and soak up some vitamin D. Hope you get approval to travel soon!

Thanks Judy. I'm feeling better and stronger and more impatient with each passing day. Actually, my orthepedic surgeon said that time in Florida would be better than Physio!

I will definitely see you soon.

Yay! That's great news, Barefoot! Your orthopedic surgeon sounds like one smart cookie. Lounging at the pool and learning how to oil paint will heal you in no time! ;)

Oh dear,
I googled pulmonary embolisms and see that it is blood clots. I hope they have it under control. I hope you are feeling well and you stay well and healthy. I hope. I hope.

Barefoot, I can empathize with you. 2 years ago I had a knee replacement. 8 days later I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital due to bi-lateral pulmonary emboli...13 in the left and 11 in the right. Recuperation is slow. I finally had a Celect vena cava filter put in to collect any residual clots. Been fine since then...just took a few months. Hang in there.

Mac9, thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I also have bi-lateral pulmonary emboli, and stupidly, I had chest pains for eight days before I went to Emergency. I ignored the pain until it was non-stop and excruciating. They told me at the hospital I was lucky to be alive.

Ladies, listen to your bodies. If you're having chest pains, get to a hospital!

In my case, the doctors in ER considered filters, but opted instead for blood thinners (warfarin, which is rat poison). I was in hospital for eight days trying to get my dosage at the correct level. But now I'm stable. I sure don't like taking warfarin every day, but it's a necessary evil. In four months I'll be able to stop taking it, yay.

You're right that recuperation is slow. As we get older, I guess we can expect our bodies to start breaking down. Our best defence is a positive attitude. I try to focus on the fact that I'm lucky to be alive. And I know that with the Florida sunshine, my recuperation will be much faster, so I'm hoping to get to TV before the end of January!

So sorry to hear that, Barefoot, but very glad to hear that you will be ok. Wow, that is really scary! We are so good about taking care of others and we would never let our dogs go with an ouchy for very long but we ignore things in ourselves. I am glad you are on the mend now. You are in my thoughts for a speedy recovery. Hugs.

Here's to a quick recovery Bare and now you can stay til the end of May as it doesn't warm up much before that up here, at least not in the recent past. Take care of yourself and we hope to see you soon.

Cheers,
LW888

Barefoot,
You sure have been through a rough time. I sincerely hope and pray that better days are ahead for you. Through the years all your posts have been full of wisdom and very kind.

I am very much looking forward to meeting you at the a dog park, and having our dogs romp! Soon I hope!

I think we'll definitely be staying into May this year. I really need some sunshine. Hope to see you soon!

Larry, thanks so much for your supportive note and kind thoughts. I believe that these little setbacks are meant to make us stronger and more appreciative of all the joys and pleasures we have in TV. I'm healing fast and we should be on our way soon to TV.

Perhaps we'll all meet at The TOTV Crispers Lunch in Jan or Feb.

Crispers
 

When is the lunch? I'd love to meet TOTVers!

Billyg, the luncheons are the third Friday of the month at Crispers. Unfortunately, this is the same day as the VAA meeting. Hope to meet you one day!

Sorry, I should have told you about TOTV meeting at Crispers when we were talking about our Book Club. I thought you knew. I have my fingers crossed I'll be able to be at the January 20 lunch. :icon_hungry: Some people have lunch, others just have a snack or soft drink.

As Judy said:

3rd Friday of the month
3 PM
Crispers
Southern Trace Plaza, CR 466

What time? Looking forward to it! Hope you are here then Bare!

Oops
 

Just saw it. 3:00pm :laugh:

3 PM at Crispers. And if the weather is nice, people will linger on. I have my fingers crossed that I'll be in TV by then. Hope to see you there!

FL sunshine to Canada
 

Bare, Sending you some FL sunshine, sorry to read about why you are not here yet. Like your positive attitude. Hope to see you at Crispers. :)

Thanks for the good wishes OMGirls. Will you be at Crispers in Jan? I'm hoping to be there.

It's 1:35 AM on Monday morning. And the weird thing is ... I'm not on TOTV alone. There are 200 people currently on TOTV! I usually see Island Gal and Gracie on here in the middle of the night.

Sleep
 

So many women I know have trouble sleeping.
Men? Snoring away as soon as their head hits the pillow. Why is that?

Crispers
 

I'd like to be at Crispers next week, it's been so long since I've been able to get there but we are now down for the winter. I will have a friend from home visiting and I'm hoping she'll want to go if it works out. Hope to see you there!

Most men have no guilt because they never do anything wrong. ;). Women have trouble sleeping because they worry and feel responsible and want to be able to control things. Women make "to do" lists and men sleep. :spoken:

I've tried melatonin, calcium citrate and sleeping prescriptions. It is now 4:24 am. Arrrrrrg!

I made a post (somewhere?) a while back about a dream therapy group I was part of, that became a really cool adventure.
One of the things we had fun with was finding a picture of a place we would like to visit, like Bali, Peru, a palace, an English garden, or whatever appeals to you.
We placed that picture, post card, whatever, next to our nightstand and gazed upon it before falling asleep. We played the 'what if?' game for a few minutes, and really tried to FEEL the joy we would experience visiting there.
Then, we decided that in our dreams, we would 'go on vacation' there.... and settle into sleep with that expectation.

In addition, we posted a small sign on the nightstand (mine was on my alarm clock) that said, "I remember my dreams easily". Didn't consciously look at that, but it entered my peripheral vision whenever I was near it.

It may take a few nights, but I'm here to say it works fabulously, and gets better with time.

If you awaken during the night and have trouble getting back to sleep because of thoughts racing through your mind, there are other things we did that I can give tips on. Just let me know and I'll share them with you.:)

Was the Dream Group here in TV? I love all this kind of stuff ... Visualization, affirmations, rituals, ceremonies, self hypnosis, meditation, deciding to dream that I'm flying and doing it!

But still .. Sigh .. Here I am awake at 5:21! Time to listen to a meditation tape!

I get up at this time. I am not tired. I enjoy getting up early. Waking at night has become routine to me and just part of life. Sometimes I get sleepy in the early afternoon and I take a nap. Try not to think of it as a problem. Do what you do in the day. Laundry, get earphones and watch TV. Sweetie has learned to sleep through anything.

I avoid watching news shows that upset me, ditto movies too. I just take things so much more seriously now that I am older and worry about them. You have to protect yourself from worry. It is useless.

I wish you rest, Sweet Bare.

Dear, dear Bare (and everybody else, too),

This may have nothing to do with your sleep problem... On the other hand, it may have everything to do with it. For quite a few years I had a terrible problem sleeping. Nothing helped. Nothing.

One day I needed to buy more makeup foundation, and I actually had my glasses with me and read the label. I discovered that the 'age-defying' ingredient in the makeup was caffeine! I was in the habit of using my 'good' makeup before going out to dinner (and we ate out a lot!), so reading the label was an AHA moment for me. I was applying the makeup early in the evening, and was still wide awake at dawn! I thought it would be worth trying another caffeine-free foundation, just to see if it made a difference. Voila! I still have trouble sleeping on occasion, but it's nothing like it was before I stopped defying age & wrinkles & brown spots...

So ladies, you might want to read the ingredients in your foundation. Caffeine could be the culprit!

Well-rested but ugly,
Judy

WOW.... that's interesting and eye-opening! (No pun intended!) ...And your sense of humor is devine, uujudy!

To answer Bare's question, the dream group I spoke of was not here in TV, but many years ago in Chicago. We helped participate so that a group of Psychologists could learn how to conduct the therapy. My friend was their teacher and a fellow artist.
We did it as an experiment to tap into our artistic creativity. What was to be a six week class for them turned into a year long wonderful journey for us.
I, too am open to exploring some of the more esoteric pathways.

I too find myself roaming the halls at all hours of the night and wee morning. It used to frustrate me, but just go with the flow. I no longer have to get kids ready for school, pack their lunches, or make their dinner and help with homework. When I can't sleep at night, I get up and have a snack, read or check out TOTV or Facebook. After work if I am exhausted from lack of sleep, I can just come home and nap. The hubby, Freedomrider, is becoming more and more able to feed himself, so I don't have him to take care of either. It is all rather freeing really!
But there are some nights when I really just want to sleep and try everything I can think of,,,hot cocoa, sleepytime tea, milk and crackers. I too am open to suggestion

Here's something else you can explore:

Buy a spiral bound notebook (lined or unlined)
Buy a marker you like the feel/color of.
Buy a small flashlight.

Open the notebook so that a page is ready for writing. (fold the cover back)
Tuck it under your bed, along with the other stuff. Make it easy to reach.

If (when) you awaken during the night, pause for a moment in your position and DON'T move. Recognize what has just flown into your mind, or peruse the dream you just awakened from.
Gently reach for your notebook without moving too much and jot down whatever is foremost on your mind. You may only write a word or two.... like: red balloon, for example. Or you may write much more. You may draw a symbol. Do what you are compelled to do, but DON"T READ what you write.
When you have written and feel completed, let the notebook, etc. slip onto the floor, close your eyes and settle in to the same sleep position again. DON'T jostle around.

The next day, REFRAIN from reading your post and turn the page. (you can date the pages if you like)
Place your tools in their under-bed position for the next time you awaken.
Give yourself a week or two before re-reading all your posts. You may find a central theme running through and may be amused or surprised.

The theory is, your subconscious uses this sleep opportunity to sort through things that are pushed aside during the busy day. Sometimes it will be crystal clear and sometimes you will use personal dream symbols to represent things. (another adventure to explore)

What the bonus is..... is that by 'journaling' you are telling your subconscious that you recognize the thought and have recorded the message, so your mind can safely 'delete' it. Your mind will stop repeating and you will go into the sound sleep mode..... OR move on to the next message to yourself... and you can repeat the journal exercise. See?

Sometimes I can't be descriptive of THINGS as I am writing, but I can write down FEELINGS.
(physical or emotional)
Like:
I'm hot.
Feet are cold.
Feel sadness, fear, love, etc.
That is adequate too, to release the thought and allow sleep to return.

I find it a valuable and interesting tool, and neat pathway to better sleep.

Judy, you would never be ugly! I've read all the labels on skin products but I can't find caffeine anywhere. I think the culprit is the blood thinner I'm taking for blood clots in my lungs. I think it is making me sleepless at night which makes me tired every day. I think I'll be done with it at the end of April. I'll be able to have a glass of wine after seven months! Happy Days are here
again.

I do believe in the power of dreams and that we can "pre program" them. I especially enjoy dreams when I'm flying in the air by myself.

I also believe that while we're asleep our spirit guides communicate with us. Last week I had a dream that the 19 year old cat we recently had euthanized was now a kitten. She was running and jumping and chasing butterflies. I believe the dream was sent to comfort me. I woke up smiling.

Hey Bare,
I've recently been able to get some good nights sleep!
I listen to my relaxation and deep sleep CD,s. I think it helps!
I've heard that 4am is a very psychic time........

I listen to Relaxation Apps on my iPad, and they really do work. They put me to sleep. But then my Sleep Timer App doesn't work to turn the Relaxation App off, and they run all night. So on Monday I'm attending an iPad meeting to figure out some stuff.

Anyway Billy, let's get together soon!

Thanks to Uptown Girl for a PM about my dreams. It really helped. We are very much on the same page as far as our spiritual beliefs go!

How many pounds before you worry?
 

Do you weigh yourself daily? Weekly? Monthly? Never? Do you go by the feel of your clothes? When do you know its time to diet or cut back or do you live on a perpetual diet with moments of splurge? How do you control it all or do you just feel like you 've earned the right to eat what you want by now? How about exercise? Do you plan it or suffer through a formal plan or just skip it? What's your version?

I have a scale that does the weight, Fat, water and Muscle percentages and bone, so I weigh myself every day before showering. I used to not do it regularly and added pounds without really knowing it, until I needed larger clothes. When I food combine I can drop down to my regular weight, but have never been able to lose and keep off the extra 5 pounds that I would like to. Now that I'm on an Lugol's iodine and salt protocol, my thyroid is getting back to balance so perhaps I can shed the extra bit, but it is not a major concern. I figure as long as I feel healthy and can maintain a stable weight, I'm ahead of the game.

One thing that I noticed with the scale is that when I don't do Tai Chi or dancing or some form of weight bearing activity regularly, the weight may go down, but the fat goes up and the muscle goes down, because the fat weighs less than the muscle. So I have learned that it isn't about the total weight as much as it is about keeping the fat% lower. And that is a challenge, especially when we are in TV and eating out more. Wish we could spot lose as most of the extra fat is around the middle.

LW888

I weigh myself about 4 times a week but I can just tell about how much I weigh just by how I feel and I'm usually right within 2/10 of a pound. If I feel heavier on a given day I adjust my diet and eat smaller, lighter meals and the next day I'm back on track. I walk, a lot, and sometimes do cardio taped on DVD. I plan on swimming a lot when I move here. I do very little weigh training. It all seems to work for me. The belly seems to be the hardest to keep under control.

I weigh daily on a scale that shows weight, fat percent and water percent. Wish I had one that showed muscle as I'm trying to build up muscle just a bit to boost my metabolism.

I was too thin most of my adult life until I was 50. Then my metabolism died and I found myself eating less and less and weighing more and more. I got up to 134. This past fall, I decided to give it back-- the weight that is. I had a goal to weigh 114 by my 60th birthday, then to lose more and maintain a weight below 110. (I'm under 5'2" tall and small boned.)

On my 60th birthday last month, I weighed 113.6! Amazing the power of a goal! Yesterday morning I cracked the 110 mark weighing in at 109.8 Did it by exersizing 50-minutes daily, portion control, eating mostly whole foods, some protein with every meal and drinking green tea.

To avoid boredom with exercize, I vary among weight classes, zoomba, yoga, pilates and walking. Several years ago, I tried exercizing 3 days a week and found myself making excuses not to go. Something amazing happened when I decided on a daily program. It was hard at first, but after three weeks without missing, I couldn't stand to miss a day! I find I greatly look forward to it. I guess you build up an addiction to it. Best addiction ever! Who knew.

Congratulations Pturner.
 

You are an inspiration. Wish I had your determination. I am 5'1" and medium boned and today I was at 124 with the fat going down and the muscle up so that for me was a bonus. I was under 90 until I was married and then gradually moved up. I also had a very high metabolism, probably hyperthyroid. Think it reversed after my kids were born. Charts say I should be around 115 so aiming for 120 makes sense to me given I will be 70 in July. I like to make allowances for age. People always comment on how small I am, but really I just hide it well. I'm adjusting our diet at the moment and minimizing/eliminating grains and sugars may help with the weight. Looking forward to getting down to TV and back to clogging.

LW888

I'd love to say that I'm one of those people who never think about weight, eat whatever they want, and think that personality is more important than how much you weigh. Someone who feels that it's OK to eat two desserts for breakfast. That is the person I'd like to be.

The person I am is quite different. Weigh myself weekly or daily? Try hourly. I'm kidding, but most everyone I know obsesses about weight, and wishes they weighed less. I have three friends who have gone the "lap band" route. Of course we all know we have to eat less and exercise more, no matter how many books claim they have the "new" information about weight loss.

My doctor says that middle age equals a muffin top, because of women's hormonal changes. Our shapes definitely do change over the years, age and gravity takes a toll. I try to be happy with the body God gave me, and give thanks that I'm alive and healthy and able to enjoy my golden years. But there are definitely times I look in the mirror and sigh for my old bikini days.

Pturner, Congratulations. That is quite an accomplishment and you're not yet full time in The Villages. I find it so easy to be active when I'm here. Unfortunately my travel schedule does not lead to healthy eating or exercise when on the road.